EPIPHANY 1 - EVENING PRAYER YEAR 1 READINGS JANUARY The First Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11

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1 The First Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11 A Reading from the Book of Isaiah. Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries out: In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. A voice says, Cry out! And I said, What shall I cry? All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, Here is your God! See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep. People: The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

2 The Second Reading: John 1:1-7,19-20,29-34 A Reading from the Gospel of John. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you? He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, I am not the Messiah. The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me. I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel. And John testified, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God. People: The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

3 Psalm Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, * in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation. 2 Great are the deeds of the Lord! * they are studied by all who delight in them. 3 His work is full of majesty and splendor, * and his righteousness endures for ever. 4 He makes his marvelous works to be remembered; * the Lord is gracious and full of compassion. 5 He gives food to those who fear him; * he is ever mindful of his covenant. 6 He has shown his people the power of his works * in giving them the lands of the nations. 7 The works of his hands are faithfulness and justice; * all his commandments are sure. 8 They stand fast for ever and ever, * because they are done in truth and equity. 9 He sent redemption to his people; he commanded his covenant for ever; * holy and awesome is his Name. 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; * those who act accordingly have a good understanding; his praise endures for ever.

4 Psalm Hallelujah! Happy are they who fear the Lord * and have great delight in his commandments! 2 Their descendants will be mighty in the land; * the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches will be in their house, * and their righteousness will last for ever. 4 Light shines in the darkness for the upright; * the righteous are merciful and full of compassion. 5 It is good for them to be generous in lending * and to manage their affairs with justice. 6 For they will never be shaken; * the righteous will be kept in everlasting remembrance. 7 They will not be afraid of any evil rumors; * their heart is right; they put their trust in the Lord. 8 Their heart is established and will not shrink, * until they see their desire upon their enemies. 9 They have given freely to the poor, * and their righteousness stands fast for ever; they will hold up their head with honor. 10 The wicked will see it and be angry; they will gnash their teeth and pine away; * the desires of the wicked will perish.

5 Psalm Hallelujah! Give praise, you servants of the Lord; * praise the Name of the Lord. 2 Let the Name of the Lord be blessed, * from this time forth for evermore. 3 From the rising of the sun to its going down * let the Name of the Lord be praised. 4 The Lord is high above all nations, * and his glory above the heavens. 5 Who is like the Lord our God, who sits enthroned on high * but stoops to behold the heavens and the earth? 6 He takes up the weak out of the dust * and lifts up the poor from the ashes. 7 He sets them with the princes, * with the princes of his people. 8 He makes the woman of a childless house * to be a joyful mother of children.